As per Indian tradition, the practice of consuming curds sweetened with sugar before an examination or interview is considered auspicious. But did you know this ritual has a scientific meaning too?

Curd, a common item in our cuisine, is a veritable powerhouse of health benefits that we often overlook.

Curd, the creamy white dairy product is a favourite among many kids. However, some kids don’t relish its acidic flavour. This article will provide you with the benefits and also offer amazing techniques to make it a favourite for your child.

Let’s scroll down into its benefits:

1. Helps digestion: It is a natural probiotic that takes good care of the child’s digestive process, prevents constipation, and minimises the risk of gastrointestinal infections. In addition, it is also easily digestible. Hence recommended to include it in the daily diet.
2. Alternative for lactose-intolerant kids: Some children are not capable of digesting lactose, hence consuming milk becomes a hurdle. Curd serves as a suitable alternative for such children as it has lower lactose compared to milk.
3. Improves immunity: Immunity assists the overall well-being of the child, involving organs, cells, and tissues that work in a coordinated network. The richness of essential minerals and Lactobacillus delbrueckii in this cultured dairy product will ameliorate immunity.
4. Strengthens bones and teeth: Growing children need a good supplement to strengthen their bones and teeth. Calcium, vitamin D, and Phosphorus present in the cultured dairy product are the best suited for this purpose. Regular consumption can prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
5. Helps induce sleep: Its rich content of Tryptophan (an amino acid) helps your little one to have a peaceful sleep. When consumed, tryptophan is converted into melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Also, the calcium present in curd helps the brain in utilising tryptophan, promoting sleep. It is advisable to consume it during the day, preferably in the morning or afternoon, as it is easier to digest.
6. Energizes: Kids are always in active mode and need a lot of energy. This white dairy product acts as an excellent ingredient to keep them active because of its rich contents of riboflavin, niacin, and folate.
7. Healthy skin and hair: This creamy superfood contain lactose which acts as an exfoliant, that helps to remove dead cells and maintain a healthy complexion. In addition, it also has the property to keep the dandruff away.
8. Improves brain health: Its rich content of vitamin B12 is vital for brain development and cognitive function in kids. It helps the child to improve memory and have good brain health. Besides, it offers relaxation and emotional balance to the brain, reducing stress levels.
9. Maintains weight: The current lifestyle has impacted weight management in children. Curds contain conjugated linoleic acid which is associated with reducing body fat and thus maintaining body weight.
10. Helps fight allergies and rashes: Being rich in probiotics it improves the immune system and reduces the risk of allergies. Further the lactic acid content helps to fight rashes. Curd also has moisturising properties that soothes the skin.

How to make it delicious?

Curd is a magical superfood that can be used in different techniques to give an appealing call to kids. Here are some ways you can utilize to make it serve the best for their health.

• Smoothies: Blend curds with fruits and a bit of honey for a creamy smoothie which the child will love to have again.
• Fruit and curd Parfait: Select fresh fruits like berries, bananas, and mangoes, and layer them with curds for a healthy dessert. The colourful appearance itself will attract them towards it.
• Vegetable raita: A very easy-to-prepare dish with the goodness of vegetables. Mix finely cut or grated cucumber, carrots and tomatoes with curds to make a nutritious dish.
• Curd Rice: Combine cooked rice with plain curds and mix well. In a separate pan, temper mustards-seeds, curry leaves and grated carrots, then add the mixture to the curd rice.
• Punjabi kadhi pakora: Prepare a batter with curd and gram flour, add spices as per your requirement. Deep fry spoonfuls of this batter to make pakoras. Simultaneously, prepare a tangy curd-based curry with spices, and add pakoras to this curry.
• Lassi: Most of the kids love lassi and it is very easy to prepare. Blend 2 cups of curd with one cup of water or milk, and sugar or salt to taste. As per your loved one’s choice, you can add little cardamom or saffron.

What is the difference between curds and yoghurt?

Many recipes give the option of using yoghurt in place of curd. However, these are different due to their methods of preparation.

Curd is made by adding a small amount of existing curd or lemon juice to a bowl of warm milk and leaving it overnight. In the case of adding lemon, it is set aside for 12 hours.

On the other side, yoghurt is prepared using artificial bacteria. Two different types of bacteria- lactobacillus and streptococci are utilised.

I would recommend curd in comparison to yoghurt. As the yoghurt available in stores contains sugar, flavours and preservatives.

Tips to store home-made curd:

• Store the curd in an airtight container to keep it safe from moisture and air.
• Store it in the coolest part of the fridge, preferably on the lowest shelf or the back of the shelves. Never store in the fridge door, as it’s the warmest.
• If you have prepared the curd for long-term use, you can freeze it. This will prevent the growth of microorganisms.
• Use a clean dry spoon to scoop out the curd.

As parents and guardians, you always look out for healthy food. Curds have been used as a staple food for centuries and are easily affordable. From boosting immunity to aiding digestion, the curd is a proven superfood for your growing kids.

Hope this blog helps you in serving the best for your little ones. Remember health is wealth, and this fermented dairy product is an effective step in that direction. So, try out the different recipes to embrace the goodness of curd and make it an integral part of children’s diet. You can consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

I would love to hear about your experience and any creative recipe you tried with this creamy cultured dairy product. Do share your views in the comments. 

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